Guidance on Simulator Use

A slim, 18-page volume published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) contributes to the quest for increasing levels of competence within the marine contracting industry.

According to IMCA's chief executive, Hugh Williams, simulation is proving its worth in the quest for the best way for individuals or teams to undertake a task efficiently and safely, and is thus often used for work planning/mission planning purposes including engineering development, procedure development, technical assessments, research, and asset risk assessment.

The new publication is designed to address the use of simulators in the trainingenvironment and as part of competence assessments. The use of simulators enables measurable assessment of individuals in training to be undertaken. Sections cover the definition of a simulator; classes of simulator; use of simulators in the marine contracting industry; differences between e-learning and simulation; simulators in the trainingenvironment; simulators in competence assessment; and definitions. Then appendices cover different types of simulators used for dive control, dynamic positioning (DP) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) each describing their purpose. Other appendices will be added to the document as they are completed.

Simulation features on the conference agenda for the forthcoming IMCA Annual Seminar (being held 9-10 November 2011 in New Orleans, with Rob Gatt of ADAS and Cato Hordnes of OLF looking at Diving simulators and simulation, experience their use and development of an industry standard; and, in the ROV and Survey session, Use of simulation from concept design to offshore completion being presented by Jacco Huipen, Fugro Subsea Services.

Guidance on the Use of Simulators can be downloaded free of charge from the IMCA website at http://www.imca-int.com/ with printed copies available at GBP2.50 for IMCA members and GBP5.00 for non-members, with further information available on the website.

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